Layered plating for complex fractures

Complex fractures provide a unique challenge to the musculoskeletal surgeon. Traditional fracture reduction techniques are not always feasible, and often difficult depending on the anatomic area involved. We describe a novel technique, called layered plating, which can ease anatomic reduction and fixation of complex fractures. The aim of this paper was to describe 3 applications for layered plating, including provisional reduction, stability enhancement, and endosteal plating. All of the patients in which this technique was used went on to clinical and radiographic healing.